On this week’s BBC Newscast, Ed Miliband was asked whether he thinks Labour has failed to convince the public that Boris mishandled the pandemic given the average Tory poll lead. Miliband opined “there is an inevitable and understandable rallying around the government”, however in time there will be better opportunities for Labour to start cutting through in the polls. According to Adam Fleming, just seconds after Ed made this prediction, YouGov’s latest poll came out… 

If this is how the public reacts to a budget raising taxes to their highest level since the 1960s, Labour should be in despair. 

Over the weekend we learned that ailing Sir Keir has hauled in Lord Mandelson to help reset his leadership after polling began to turn sour. Mandelson reportedly “held online calls with members of Starmer’s team and the shadow cabinet”. Guido can imagine how tense some of those calls might have been, given how Labour figures decried the Prince of Darkness not so long ago…

Now-Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband called Lord Mandelson “his own worst spin doctor”, and even suggested the former master of spin should leave politics altogether, saying it was “time for a new generation” in the Labour Party. Has he changed his mind?

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also chimed in at the time, saying “Peter loves the spotlight but it’s time to leave the stage.” Guido’s sure that Mandy’s new advice will be warmly welcomed from all quarters…

This morning, Shadow BEIS Secretary Ed Miliband used his Andrew Marr appearance to rail against the new coal mine opening in Cumbria, saying it shouldn’t open as it undermines the UK’s ability to take a lead against climate change. Miliband’s tried a lot of rebranding over the last few years, however his coal outrage takes the biscuit, having lobbied on the industry’s behalf in parliament for over a decade:

• October 2005: “Those who have traditionally thought that coal cannot be an answer to our energy needs should approach this question with an open mind. My constituents want coal to be given a chance in the forthcoming examination of energy policy”
• July 2015, Miliband criticised the Government for not providing taxpayer subsidy to coal: “I find it frustrating when new nuclear is given a multi-billion-pound bill payer subsidy, but a few million more for a coal mine is seen as an option that either cannot be afforded or should not be entertained”
• July 2015, Miliband criticised the Government for introducing the climate change levy after it led to the closure of a coal mine in his constituency: “The levying of the tax at point of sale rather than when the coal is burned means that the energy companies have an incentive to stockpile coal, and they did so in advance of April to avoid the higher levy. Companies had huge stockpiles of coal and orders at Hatfield dried up”
• July 2015, Miliband claimed it was not “morally right” to push on with the early closure of coal mines: “The miners feel they have had the rug pulled from under them. I do not believe the decision makes economic or industrial sense, and nor is it morally right. I believe the Minister should think again”

Miliband now being considered one of Labour’s best media performers should be seen as the canary in the coal mine for the party’s election prospects…

ICYMI: Covid ‘is a gift that keeps on giving’ says ally of Sir Keir Starmer

UPDATE: Listen to the original Lord Falconer comment below: